180 Gallon Build

Hmm, I think that's medium, and my medium doesn't really get sucked up - unless it's just the finer particles that are getting sucked up for you?

If I stick my vacuum in the sand while hooked into my FX6, it will fill the bag up quick. I'm thinking it's the finer particulates. Once I pick up a cheap vacuum I'll let you know. I'll inspect the difference in the tub versus what's in the tank.

 

That's the difference - I use a Python or Aqueon siphon. Try one of those, that should help.

 

I have BDBS in 4 tanks and I use 2 different vacs. I have a Python with a 1/2" ID hose and another brand (don't remember) with a 3/8" ID hose. The Python will suck the sand up easily but the other only gets the lighter stuff that floats. I use the bigger hose for the bigger tanks when I don't need to vacuum the gravel as much since it drains the tank faster and the smaller hose when the gravel is dirty and I need to spend some time picking up debris off the gravel. If I suck up some gravel, I pinch the hose so it drops.

 

Yeah, I'm going to use the vacuum I use for my 10 and 20. Just add some hose on the end if needed. See if I can't get some of that dust off of the top.

 

Good news this morning! I got my impeller last night, and finally got my FX6 running. The water has cleared up immensely. It's nearly crystal clear like the rest of my tanks.

I need to tweak the flow in my tank, there's waste build up in a couple spots. I had to fiddle around in the other tank, so I expected to have to do it with this one. In the end, I'm MUCH happier with how everything looks. My BGK will enjoy the extra overall room, my plants will enjoy the extra light, my Redfin Prochildous will enjoy the extra room as well. Everything is coming together nicely.

Best of all, my cycled is in tact. Checked parameters this morning, 0/0/10. I'll post pictures this afternoon when the lights come on. Willing to take suggestions on aquascaping before everything digs in root wise again!

I'm thinking about picking up another Amazon Sword for the right side, and another Ludwigia for the left.

 

Here's a close up of the sand. It looks the same color throughout, with some darker spots. Maybe it's just the lighting that's giving off the grey hue? I'm not entirely sure. I have Cory's in my other two tanks that have BDBS, they mix it up really well. So it's definitely darker in those tanks. Maybe that's the issue? I would get snails, but my Loaches wouldn't let them live very long, lol.






The EBA's wanted to be in almost every shot, lol. My BGK is still pretty shy, but has started to come along. Today was his first day coming out with the lights on for feeding. Didn't last long, but he's trying. My Redfin Prochildous didn't like the transition, so he's being skittish again.

 

The BGK made a rare appearance, had to take a few shots!

 

It should go away eventually too, with your repeated gravel vacs over time!

Fish look great!

 

Might have another issue. One of my BoesemanI Rainbow, has discoloration along his face? Is this normal, or possibly a disease.
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I'm late to this party--but I think the "discoloration" to which you're referring was him flashing. Was it a bright streak along his forehead from nose to dorsal fin? Completely normal for rainbows, and a sign you're doing things right! It's how they express dominance and show off for the ladies. Most common first thing when lights come on. One of the joys of having rainbows

 

I'm late to this party--but I think the "discoloration" to which you're referring was him flashing. Was it a bright streak along his forehead from nose to dorsal fin? Completely normal for rainbows, and a sign you're doing things right! It's how they express dominance and show off for the ladies. Most common first thing when lights come on. One of the joys of having rainbows

That's exactly what it looked like. Good to know that it was normal behavior. He done it a couple times since, and definitely seems to be the dominant one!

 

This is my favorite part of having rainbows. Their colors change so quickly when they are doing their dances!

 

So, after getting a tube vacuum from my LFS. I decided to try it out and pick up some waste that accumulated in a dead spot I have been trying to fix. The sand I picked up was definitely really fine grain. I looked at the extra bag I have, and it's a finer grain than 20/40. It's the 30/60. Which would explain why I can't vacuum it as well as I would like. It is easier with the new vacuum though, so I'll use it instead, and use the vacuum on the FX6 for heavy cleaning.

 

It may help to vacuum with the tube at an angle. I will pull sand if I have the vacuum upright, but at an angle, the sand runs back down the tube.

 

I'll try that out, the suction from my FX6 is strong, and will pull the sand up before I even get it close though lol. I have to be careful with it

 

So, with my first water change in the new tank, I just realized the only reason I liked the over flows. I could fill the tank in it, and add Prime directly to that. Plus I could toss a thermometer in it and adjust as needed. I'll have to move my thermometer to where the water goes in now and dose all over the tank. Small price to pay for the new tank though!

 

Been awhile since I've updated, I'll take pictures tomorrow. Everyone has grown quite a bit, but I had a mysterious EBA Death today. Current parameters are 0/0/40 the day before a water change. Everyone else is acting fine, with no signs of infections. Not sure what happened to the poor guy

 

Was that one one of the smaller EBAs?

 

Nope, I was down to the 5 of the same size.

 

It could have been a stress/bullying/aggression issues (yes, even if there were no physical marks on the body and you have never seen aggression). With cichlids, it's not uncommon for them to stress each other through bullying without them needing to resort to physical violence.

 

Interesting, and likely the case. Without any other signs, I would have to agree. The one that passed, used to be in a corner by himself quite often. Only reason I know, is because the one that was normally there. Isn't anymore.

 

That sounds like it then, if he was mostly confined to the corner. Hopefully you won't have other issues in such a large tank.